If you are interested in joining our mailing list, please submit your email below.
Mark Hofheins Jr. is founder of the United Coalition Against Repression for Equality (UCARE), a new coalition devoted to create a more unified, cohesive voice against Portland’s historic problem of chronic homelessness. A staunch Occupier and father, he is a recent advent to the activist scene and hopes to share his unique background, perspective and gifts to communities of change makers and doers. I was fortunate enough to meet him briefly for an interview so he can share his story and introduce UCARE to the larger public.
Q) Tell us about yourself.
A) I am just one man out of many, trying to make a difference in the world. I am a recovering meth addict, trying to live honestly again. I am a father, fighting a bitter custody battle over my daughter, who is the prime inspiration for the work I do. I am a degree-holding student, who studied paralegal and law at a career college. I am, and will always understand myself to be, an Occupier, who gave dues during the occupation whenever I came from work. I am hopeful, and deeply spiritual.
Q) What is UCARE? What does it do? What are its goals?
A) While UCARE was officially founded this September, it was obvious for months that a homeless coalition was needed for our city. To put it simply, we are a non-incorporated band of enraged citizens focused on those who spend day and night on the streets. When we are not teaming up with groups like the Vigil Against the “Camping” Ban, Right 2 Dream Too, Sisters of the Road, Jose Serrica’s Humanity Hub, Anonymous Portland or others, we document suspicious police activity and give paralegal assistance to the most vulnerable. We participate in service actions that provide much-needed food and clothing to them directly, on the streets and alleyways. We also attend weekly City Council meetings to make our grievances persistent and unforgotten.
While UCARE is just starting up, a goal that I personally have been seeking is the existence of a year-round, 24/7 indoor homeless shelter. Currently, the City of Portland has no such thing, as they only provide emergency shelter during nights of extreme weather, while the spaces given by NGOs are disappearing quickly due to the lack of funds. To make this shelter possible, there would need to be a conjoined, consistent effort by both people in and out of government, which is exactly what UCARE hopes to see.
Q) What do you want people to know about UCARE? To do?
A) First, I want people to know that there are people who are passionate about making connections and building bridges for a collective solution to this problem, and that nobody can do this by themselves. Activism can often be territorial, but we need to understand how crucial it is to collaborate. And about what I want people to do — that’s for them to decide. Bring to us your thoughts, ideas, connections and dreams to show that U CARE. I’m also on the lookout for people interested in creating media for UCARE and managing our webpage; if this sounds like you, simply contact me and I will get back to you.
For more information about Mark or about UCARE, check out the Facebook “Like” page above or To make a monetary contribution, go here to UCARE’s donate page.